Pakistan boasts a rich and diverse history of handicrafts. Each region showcases its own unique style and skill through color and design of handicrafts ranging from fabric, material, embroidery, jewelry, carving, mirror work, and much more. While Pakistani Handicraft and art forms are influenced by intermingling of cultures the Mughal aesthetic and the Islamic art form, which emphasizes perfect synchronization, balance and order depicted through floral and geometric designs is the most visible.

For a detailed look into the handicraft of Pakistan please visit this highly informative site of The Encyclopedia of Intangible Cultural Heritage here.

In Sindh the range of handicraft products include ajrak, ceramics, articles made of date leaves, farassi rugs, jandi, khes, musical instruments, caps, straw products, bangles, crucia work, embroideries, kashi, rilli, Thari carpets and woodcarving.  Previously, many of the province’s women were engaged in handicraft making and houses were turned into small workshops. Cotton industry became a major source of income for the people. Yet during the last 15-20 years, handicrafts production declined because of weakening demand, and lack of strategic planning for revival of the indigenous crafts. (Shaikh, 2010)

In the Kachchh region the use of natural dye with wool has a long tradition. To read about the ancient dying practices of Kachchh and its revival please read the detailed presentation here.

In Multan you find an assortment of handicraft tradition. Multan is famous for its Khussa (shoes), embroidery work, thread and ‘Aar’ work, camel skin products. Carpets and lacquered wooden products.  The region of Bahawalpur is famous for its Flassi, Rilli, and Changaries.

For more details on the Handicraft industry in Pakistan please visit the website of the Handicraft Assosication of Pakistan.

Please also visit the website of Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab.

Citation:

Shaikh, S. (2010, March 22). Sindh`s sagging handicraft business. Retrieved July 17, 2013, from Dawn.com: http://archives.dawn.com/archives/25502

Khan, Farah Deeba, Preserving the Heritage: a case study of Handicraft in Sindh, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, 26 March, 2011,http://dspace.unive.it/handle/10579/1046, URL accessed July 17,